Rip's Picks for Sunday, June 28

1 - HOLD DANCE drops notch after making up more than 7 lengths in the slop with addition of blinkers. Runs down CLASS OF FORTY ONE, who has been idle for 10 months, and HONKY TONK LADY, who acted up before the start of her last race.

2 - IFONLYJOHNNY steps up off claim by hot Marrotta barn (36% winners); has the advantage of having a race over the track compared to 10-year-old RICARDO A, who has won two in a row. LIGHT WRAP was caught wide as part of a 1-5 entry and settled for second. Close.

3 - SIOUXNAMI, a $360,000 buy, adds blinkers after failing to hang on by 3 in debut for overdue McLaughlin stable. DANCING DIGITS has been away since Sept. when he chased chased repeat winner. NOBODY LIKE ME has credentials to steal this.

4 - OLLYOLLYOXENFREE (BEST BET), an 8-5 loser in first try at Monmouth, has little to beat for hot Breen barn (36% winners); reverses finish with stranded outside VALKIM. UNDER GRAD becomes serious play if race comes off turf. Expect QUEEN CARIBEES to improve for Tagg.

5 - BERNING BLAZE goes turf-to-dirt with positional speed needed at the Shore; last victory came with Trujillo riding. ANTICK GOLD may pray for rain; won last two on wet tracks. BOLDLY SUCCESSFUL leaps up in class and stretches out after coming from 11 back to win going away.

6 - EDGEMOOR is the sleeper on the card. Nominated for the Triple Crown, he has been away since Dec. in Fla. when he routinely lured betting support. But it's tough to match him against KEEP'EM MOVIN DAN on paper, who returned from layoff to romp for Pletcher. BEAUTIFULSEA as been in the exacta in 6-of-11 in Oceanport.

7 - FLEET VALID takes leap in class from $18,000 to $50,000 after romping by 7 1/4 and being claimed by Scott Volk in prior start. Watch out. CABLE BOY makes first start of year. Looked like big-time winner two years ago before being sidelined. BIG RED HOPE cuts back to 6 furlongs.

8 - GIRLFRIENDONTHESIDE became a swift winner when entered in a turf sprint. FROLIC'S DREAM drops from four stakes tests in a row for lawn debut. IBERIAN GATE has won two in a row including grass dash.

9 - FLIP THE COIN takes over for Richard Dutrow if races escapes grass course. Otherwise, MS. SHORT POCKETS looks best after coming off slow pace to win first start on lawn. GO GO PINK may hang on again. MINDBENDER drops into claimer after showing ability on the green.

AT BELMONT

1 - FROZEN PROSPECT (back against the fillies after good effort against the guys), For Free, Hangingonaprayer

2 - FEROCIOUS WON/HURRICANE HEAT entry (both romped in last starts and would move up on wet track), Bebob, Take the Bluff

3 - PRESS ONLY (drops for return to main track), Jaystone, Deb's Roof

4 - SLAM THE CAT (BEST BET) (2-for-2 this year and drilling with bullets), Girl Can Rock, Maraschino Red